Senior Data Architect and Engineer - Olin College of Engineering

Job Description

FLSA CODE:   Exempt                                                     

NORMAL WORK HOURS:    40 hours per week, Monday-Friday

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:   ​Director of Enterprise Applications and Technology

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Data Architect and Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing the college’s enterprise data architecture to support institutional goals and align with industry best practices. This critical role develops and executes a comprehensive data strategy, enhancing data quality, reliability, and accessibility while ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.

Collaborating with academic, administrative, and IT stakeholders, the Senior Data Architect and Engineer translates data requirements into actionable technical solutions, supports cross-functional projects, and enhances decision-making capabilities through optimized data reporting and integration processes. The role also involves managing data infrastructure, maintaining data documentation, and promoting a culture of data stewardship across the institution.

Beyond data-focused responsibilities, the Senior Data Architect and Engineer provides technical support for enterprise systems, assists ERP users with some reporting needs, has shared oversight of web hosting environments, and manages vendor relationships to ensure seamless system operations. A commitment to confidentiality, attention to detail, and staying current with emerging technologies are essential to success in this role.

This collaborative and strategic role is vital to advancing the college’s data infrastructure, supporting institutional initiatives, and fostering innovation across all departments. Based on-campus in Needham, MA, the position offers potential for flexible work arrangements, provided any remote work is conducted within Massachusetts, where Olin is registered to do business.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, implement, and manage the college’s enterprise data architecture to align with institutional goals and industry best practices.
• Develop a comprehensive data strategy and roadmap, incorporating cloud services, data warehouses, and integration platforms to meet evolving needs.
• Identify opportunities to consolidate, transform, and integrate data to improve quality, reliability, and accessibility.
• Collaborate with the Director of Institutional Research and Decision Support to enhance reporting processes and support data-driven decision-making across the institution.
• Build and maintain efficient ETL processes to ensure accurate and seamless data integration across systems.
• Establish and enforce processes for data validation, cleansing, and monitoring to maintain data accuracy and consistency.
• Document data lineage, metadata, and definitions while fostering a culture of data stewardship across the organization.
• Work closely with stakeholders to assess data needs and translate them into practical technical solutions.
• Partner with academic, administrative, and IT teams to support cross-functional projects and ensure cohesive data strategies.
• Ensure compliance with data protection regulations (e.g., FERPA, GDPR) in collaboration with legal and compliance teams.
• Protect the confidentiality of institutional data, including student and employee information, at all times.
• Stay informed on emerging technologies and best practices in data architecture, integration, and engineering.
• Optimize data infrastructure in partnership with colleagues, focusing on database systems, data warehouses, and cloud solutions.
• Provide technical support to ERP users, including modifications and adjustments to built-in reports.
• Support the college’s website environments, including hosted Drupal and on-premise Apache and IIS services.
• Manage vendor relationships and coordinate timely resolution of ERP-related issues to ensure operational continuity.
• Collaborate with Help Desk staff to automate and route transactional tickets for student and employee onboarding and off-boarding processes.
   

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree with 5-7 years of relevant experience; higher education experience strongly preferred.
• Strong hands-on background in system management, integration, ERP systems, data architecture, and Microsoft SQL Server or similar enterprise-class database platforms.
• Expert knowledge of SQL, ETL processes, and data integration platforms.
• Advanced experience with APIs, scripting/programming, and structured data formats.
• Familiarity with cloud data and analytics technologies and analytics/reporting tools.
• Experience with systems such as Jenzabar One, Raiser’s Edge, Slate, Canvas LMS, ADP WorkforceNow, Atrium Campus, Boomi, Infomaker, Apache, Microsoft IIS, and Drupal is a plus.
• Knowledge of web hosting technologies is preferred.
• Excellent collaboration, communication, and customer service abilities; commitment to continuous learning.
• Capable of managing multiple projects independently while working effectively in a team.
• Strong problem-solving skills, discretion with confidential information, and adherence to regulations like FERPA.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to equity, access, and belonging.

Company Description

Olin College of Engineering seeks employees who are passionate about working collaboratively within and outside of the Olin community to support the College’s mission and vision for the future. At Olin, we are educating the next generation of engineering innovators and shifting the definition of engineering. Not only do our students ask, “Who are we designing this for, and what are their values?” They also ask questions about the impact of their work on society.

 As Olin evolves under the leadership of our president, Dr. Gilda Barabino, we seek to become a more diverse and aware community, a place where everyone is a learner and where everyone is an educator. Olin will become a place where experimentation—including making and learning from mistakes—will be embraced across the institution, not just in the classroom. Collaboration is key to Olin’s curriculum and culture, and we will work intentionally to reinforce the values and culture to which we aspire. We are a community that thrives on being together; we value trust. The College supports teams to collaboratively decide how they can best do their work, and display a commitment to the community, all while providing individuals with overall work-life flexibility.

Olin College is situated on 75 acres in Needham, Massachusetts. We are approximately ten miles from Boston, one mile from the MBTA Commuter Rail train station, and approximately four miles from the Woodland Station for the MBTA Green Line. We have plenty of free parking on campus. You can find more details on our Visiting Campus page.

• Take a Virtual Campus Tour: From the moment you step on campus at Olin, you feel a buzz of energy and activity—and once you experience it, you want to be a part of it.

Olin College is committed to supporting an innovative, integrated learning and working environment. As a small campus, the in-person experience and cross-team collaboration is what helps build a strong, dynamic community for our students, faculty and staff. Typically, most roles at Olin College are intended to be in-person and on-campus. Certain paid positions may be eligible for flexible working arrangements, at the College’s sole discretion. Any approved remote work arrangement for pay must be performed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts where Olin is registered to do business. Individual flexible and remote work options can be discussed during the interview process. 

Benefits

Olin College prides itself on offering to faculty and staff comprehensive benefits that provide both choice and value. These benefits are an important part of total compensation.  

Full-time employees scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week may be eligible for the following benefits: 

Core Benefits

• Medical (three different options) 
• Dental 
• Vision
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (company paid)
• Paid Family Medical Leave
• Long Term Disability (company paid)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with company match
• Liberal sick and vacation time and paid holidays
• Free parking

Additional Benefits 

• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Business Travel Insurance
• Supplemental 403(b) Retirement Plan 
• Travel Assistance Services (company paid)
• Health Care Management Program
• Pet Insurance

Please note that benefits are subject to change at any time.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

At Olin College we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace. If you’re excited about a role and have relevant experience, but your work history doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we'd nevertheless encourage you to apply.

Olin College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We especially welcome applications from candidates belonging to groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education, including women, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA people, and people with disabilities. Employees of the College who have a disability are welcome to request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources at HR@olin.edu.